Latest news with #AlexLozowski
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Saracens open door to Owen Farrell return — but with two big stumbling blocks
Owen Farrell 's return to Saracens rugby next season moved a step closer after boss Mark McCall revealed the former England captain could be recruited as injury cover. Farrell has experienced a disappointing debut campaign at Racing 92, marred by a groin injury and the club's poor form, leading to reports that he is plotting a route back into the Premiership by ending his contract a year early. Saracens are permitted to bring in a reinforcement to fill the gap created in the squad by Alex Lozowski 's achilles injury, which will sideline the versatile fly-half and centre until Christmas, while the retirement of veteran playmaker Alex Goode has thinned the options further. It raises the prospect of Farrell rejoining his only English club, but McCall admitted there are several hurdles that must first be navigated - including the fact that the 33-year-old has to be paid the same as Lozowski and agreement over a transfer fee. "We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10," said McCall, whose side failed to qualify for the Premiership play-offs despite a 36-26 home victory over Bath on Saturday. "The way the process works is you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. "Owen wasn't on the list because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. "A couple of things have to happen. One, Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which a club is willing to pay. And secondly he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. "If Owen comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list because of the value for money that he would bring." Farrell spent 16 years at Saracens before heading across the Channel in 2024 and McCall believes England's record points scorer and veteran of 112 caps would provide a vital service by helping develop Saracens' young fly-halves Fergus Burke and Louie Johnson. "It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. Owen's obviously one of the best at that," McCall said. "Owen and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. "Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players. For our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there." Runaway Premiership leaders Bath will face Bristol in their semi-final at the Recreation Ground on Friday night and head coach Johann van Graan welcomed the renewal of a fierce West Country rivalry. "Bristol are a good side. It's a one off, it becomes a pressure game and the winner takes it all and gets to Twickenham," Van Graan said. "Both teams have evolved this season. We played them a few weeks ago in the Principality so I think the beauty of a semi-final is, it doesn't matter what you've done. "It doesn't matter what happened before, it's a new venue, new ball, new referee, two totally different teams and it's the knockouts. It's what we've worked the whole season for and we can't wait."
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Saracens keen to end Owen Farrell's French exile with the former England captain eyed as a possible injury replacement for Alex Lozowski
As the season highlights played on the big screens in the corners of the StoneX Stadium after the final whistle, it was hard not to feel that Owen Farrell 's return could be the best thing to happen to Saracens. And when Mark McCall took the microphone to debrief on the club's fruitless campaign, it became clear that their iconic No 10 could return sooner than anticipated. It is no secret that Racing 92 and Farrell are ready to go their separate ways and McCall, in a remarkably honest press conference, claimed it would be 'a great thing' if he decided to come home to north London. Saracens are entitled to sign an additional back as injury cover for Alex Lozowski and this week's news that Racing are ready to sell Farrell out of his contract — for a reported fee of €500,000 (£422,000) — could provide the perfect candidate. 'When Alex Lozowski gets an injury, then you're entitled to use an injury dispensation, given the length of the injury, and bring a new player to the club from outside your squad,' said McCall. 'But he can only play in the same position as the person who's been injured. Obviously Alex plays 10, 12, 13 and the player coming in can only come in for the same money or less. So those are your factors. 'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10, to be honest. We've got quite a lot of 12s and 13s, but we're vulnerable at 10 because Alex Goode's retired and he's played 10 a lot for us. Alex Lozowski, who's our next 10, is injured until Christmas. 'So we feel a bit vulnerable there. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louis [Johnson] and then we've got no-one else. 'So this is the way the process works — you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. I know Owen wasn't on the list, of course he wasn't because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. 'But a couple of things have to happen — Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which some club, us included, are willing to pay. And that's a small amount. And secondly, he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. 'He's not on the list yet, because he's under contract. If he comes onto the list, he looks like a pretty good option, because of the value for money that he would be.' Aside from the two years when Saracens were engulfed in the salary cap scandal, this is the first time the club have missed out on the play-offs since 2009. It has been a season that has been lacking in bite. They have missed Farrell's aggressive consistency and that was evident as their campaign concluded with a limp victory against a heavily rotated Bath team featuring seven young debutants. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field,' added McCall. 'I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. Him and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. 'They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players. He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well. So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there.'
